Silly, I know. That's the 5k trap.
So life happens and you plan a run, but then realize you don't have time to do that minimum 5k...so you skip it.
BECAUSE YOU CAN'T POSSIBLE DO LESS! THAT'D BE RIDICULOUS!
And then it happens again. and again. and again. Soon, all of your weekday runs are skipped and you are only running your long runs and are wondering why you are hurting and grumpy and not making any progress. All because you are stuck in the 5k trap.
That was me up until about 6 months ago. If I couldn't do 5k, I just wouldn't go. But somewhere along Goofy training, I realized I needed to do something. So I started running at lunch. Not enough time most days to do 5k...but I could do 4.
Turns out a couple of 4ks a week are so much better than no 5ks.
Suddenly, I was running stronger. I was hurting less. I was training better than I ever had for any other race. All because I was actually doing it. Heck - letting go of the 5k trap freed me up to do hills and speed - typically much shorter overall runs - just because I wasn't faulting myself for running under 5k.
Sometimes it's just about the runs we actually do that make us better runners.
I know what you mean, I always think what is the point of running if I can't get in a good half hour, but I have learned some days even fifteen minutes is great.
ReplyDeleteCould not agree more!
ReplyDeleteYep...totally agree! I think I am slightly OCD because I have certain numbers in my head that I won't ever stop running at and if I can't reach a certain distance or time, I won't bother to run. Thanks for the reminder that it's OK!
ReplyDeleteThat's the 30min for me. Less? Pfft. What for? Until I got injured and then I had to do 10, 20, 25, 30 run/walk etc. I still rarely do a run under 30min, but at least I don't obsess about it anymore. Yay for 4ks!
ReplyDeleteI've been doing that lately too and I don't know why I don't just get out there and at least do 2 miles. 3.1 is not that much further but mentally it seems like a better distance for me to run.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Last year I didn't want to even enter my kms in my log if it was under 5. Any running is good running!
ReplyDeleteI kind of have the "5k shame". I'll run less than 5, like 3 or 4, but I always feel kind of dumb reporting it when so many people are doing 10's during the week! 5k seems so much more respectable. But I still do those short ones and they make up a good portion of my weekday training, even for long races...
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter the distance, just matters that you're getting out there and doing something! Great little post!
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